+ Minor planets discovered: 55 see
Norman Gene Thomas (May 1, 1930 – May 19, 2020) was an American astronomer and discoverer of minor planets.
He worked at Lowell ObservatoryScience News, Vol. 135, No. 18 (May 6, 1989), p. 28 using the blink comparator alongside Robert Burnham Jr., author of the famous three-volume Celestial Handbook.
He is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 55 numbered minor planets during 1964–1989, including the Apollo asteroids 4544 XanthusDealing with the Threat of an Asteroid Striking the Earth: An AIAA Position Paper at the National Space Society and 4581 Asclepius, as well as the Amor asteroid 3352 McAuliffe.
The main-belt asteroid 2555 Thomas, discovered by Edward Bowell at Anderson Mesa Station in 1980, was named in his honor. Naming citation was published on 8 April 1982 ().
List of discovered minor planets
2089 Cetacea November 9, 1977 2366 Aaryn January 10, 1981 2527 Gregory September 3, 1981 2556 Louise February 8, 1981 2557 Putnam September 26, 1981 2558 Viv September 26, 1981 2612 Kathryn February 28, 1979 2683 Brian January 10, 1981 2684 Douglas January 3, 1981 2764 Moeller February 8, 1981 2779 Mary February 6, 1981 2895 Memnon January 10, 1981 2927 Alamosa October 5, 1981 2933 Amber April 18, 1983 2999 Dante February 6, 1981 3117 Niepce February 11, 1983 3151 Talbot April 18, 1983 3256 Daguerre September 26, 1981 3352 McAuliffe February 6, 1981 3367 Alex February 15, 1983 3397 Leyla December 8, 1964 3413 Andriana February 15, 1983 3467 Bernheim September 26, 1981 3525 Paul February 15, 1983 3561 Devine April 18, 1983 3580 Avery February 15, 1983 3584 Aisha October 5, 1981 3614 Tumilty January 12, 1983 3621 Curtis September 26, 1981 3807 Pagels September 26, 1981 3976 Lise May 6, 1983 4193 Salanave September 26, 1981 4198 Panthera February 11, 1983 4331 Hubbard April 18, 1983 4544 Xanthus March 31, 1989 4568 Menkaure September 2, 1983 4581 Asclepius March 31, 1989 4967 Glia February 11, 1983 5249 Giza April 18, 1983 5461 Autumn April 18, 1983 5864 Montgolfier September 2, 1983 6062 Vespa May 6, 1983 6174 Polybius October 4, 1983 7275 Earlcarpenter February 15, 1983 (7380) 1981 RF September 3, 1981 (7990) 1981 SN1 September 26, 1981 (8469) 1981 TZ October 5, 1981 (9157) 1983 RB4 September 2, 1983 (9534) 1981 TP October 4, 1981 September 26, 1981 February 15, 1983 March 4, 1979 February 28, 1979 September 26, 1981 September 2, 1983 with Brian A. Skiff with Robert Burnham Jr. with Henry E. Holt
References
External links Library of Congress Authorities – Thomas, N. G. (Norman Gene), 1930-, (n89615892)